This Week's Model: Hilary Rhoda

23-year-old Maryland native Hilary Rhoda is known for her athletic, All-American looks and her strong brows — which have earned her more than a few Brooke Shields comparisons — but it was actually Balenciaga’s Nicolas Ghesquiere who handpicked Rhoda for his Spring 2006 show, effectively launching her runway career. Rhoda hasn’t graced the runway since the Fall 2008 season — instead, she’s focused on being a worldwide face of Estee Lauder, which she signed with in 2007, and appearing in the last two issues of Sports Illustrated, but it sounds like a return to the catwalk could be in the cards…

What have you been up to this summer? Any vacations or recent travel?
I went on vacation to St. Barts a couple of weeks ago, just for a long weekend. I was down working in Florida, in Miami, recently; I was in LA earlier this summer; and I went home to Maryland for a couple of days. When I have extra time I just go out to the Hamptons, I have a house in Southampton I go out to as much as I possibly can.

What are your Fashion’s Night Out plans?
I will be with Estee Lauder at Saks, Lord & Taylor and Derek Lam’s store opening.

Any fashion week plans? We heard you were interested in walking in a few fashion shows this upcoming season.
I haven’t done shows for the past couple of seasons now, but I’m going to be doing a few during New York Fashion Week, which I’m really excited about. This time I’ll really be able to enjoy it instead of having the usual craziness of all four fashion weeks.

From left: Eres, spring/summer 2009; on the cover of Korean Numero, October 2008

What’s your most recent shopping purchase?
A baggy sweater by Cut 25 — do you know that brand? It’s black and white, with a leather neckline, from Intermix, and I plan to wear it with black leather pants or skinny jeans.

How do you spend your free time?
I’ve been meaning to see The Expendables when I have the chance, and I just finished reading Portrait of an Addict as a Young Man while I was in St. Barts. I really liked it, I read it in one day. And I work out a lot — obviously, I’m on the way to the gym right now. I feel the best after a workout — I’m sweaty and exhausted, but it also gives me an energy I really like.

What are your guilty pleasures?
Peanut Butter M&Ms in the fridge, I always have a giant bag. Every cookie and candy I put in the fridge, it always manages to taste better when it’s cold.

From left: Balenciaga, spring 2007; as the face of Estee Lauder, fall/winter 2010

Speaking of food, we’ve heard you don’t cook at all.
It’s not that I don’t want to, it’s just that I don’t know how. I can only do eggs or pasta, so I order a lot of takeout or go out to eat.

Who are your closest model friends?
Jessica Stam I hang out with a lot; Coco Rocha — we’re always emailing and keeping in touch; and Heidi Mount, I like her, she’s nice.

Rhoda before her modeling days.

What do you see for yourself in the year ahead?
I’m going to be shooting Sports Illustrated again in a couple of months, and I would like to get into more things that show my personality and allow me to speak — I’ve been doing a couple of hosting things. I’m working on branching out beyond modeling.

And what about tonight?
I might go to the Soho Grand to meet up with some friends, but otherwise I’m going to be staying home. I worked out this morning, had a shoot this afternoon, and I’m going to work out again now, so I don’t know if I’m going to make it, I’m pretty exhausted.